Cornwall Council’s Public Health team would like to thank everyone for doing their bit to tackle Covid over the past 18 months.
But as half-term approaches it is asking residents, businesses and visitors alike to stay vigilant and keep up the good work to ensure cases stay as low as possible during the break.
This summer Cornwall attracted a higher-than-average number of visitors which, combined with the Delta variant circulating, gave us one the highest case rates in England for much of the season.
Our numbers are rising and we need everyone’s help to stop another wave from happening here. With winter approaching Cornwall needs to keep cases as low as possible to avoid putting pressure on all our health services
If you’re visiting Cornwall this half term, we’d like to say thanks in advance for still taking precautions to protect each other.
Here are the things you can all do to help us all enjoy a happy and healthy break:
- Hands – wash with water and soap or sanitise regularly
- Face - thank you to everyone who is still wearing face coverings
- Space – it's always best to keep your distance from people where possible and avoid crowds
- Fresh air- being outdoors as much as possible and being in well ventilated areas will help you stay safe. Visit Cornwall has top ideas for outdoor activities at half term
- Test using Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) regularly in the week before you set off and please don’t travel if you have symptoms or test positive
- If you feel unwell with classic Covid symptoms, get a PCR test
- If you feel ill but think you might have another winter illness or aren’t sure if it’s Covid you can now get a PCR test without having the three main symptoms (please note this can’t be used for travel abroad)
- If you feel unwell while you’re here please limit your contact with other people and book a PCR test on the GOV.uk website.
- Top up your immunity this winter. Viruses like flu and Covid-19 spread quickly when we’re all crowded together inside. That’s why it is more important than ever to get vaccinated this winter.
Rachel Wigglesworth, Director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “I really can’t say thank you enough to our residents, businesses and visitors who have done everything they can to help protect both themselves and our communities.
“Coronavirus isn’t on holiday when you are and that was very clear in the summer. What we saw when restrictions ended was that people relaxed and dropped their guard, and that’s when cases started to go up. When the weather was worse at the beginning of the summer season we saw large numbers of people squeezed into small spaces, which are exactly the conditions that Covid-19, and especially the Delta variant loves.
“There is no new message, we have said all of this before. But what we need to do is all learn from the summer season and not let half-term put us back in a place with high case rates and our one hospital under pressure. We need to carry on doing everything we can and double our efforts in protecting ourselves and each other.
“It might be half-term, but it’s no time for half measures.”
Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive of Visit Cornwall, added: “We expect Cornwall to have another busy half term break as people continue to stay in the UK, most of our accommodation is already fully booked. We are ready to welcome visitors but more than ever we need everyone to book, respect, protect and enjoy Cornwall.
“To help us keep our cases down please think about how you could enjoy our wonderful outdoor things to do here in Cornwall. Please book before you arrive so that you aren't disappointed as many places are already full. Remember if you are visiting a hospitality venue or shop to respect the staff who have worked long and hard hours this holiday season. And please protect our county as well as yourself”.
This half term, people are encouraged to try something different and explore some of Cornwall’s lesser visited towns. They are at the heart of our communities and each has its own unique character. The ‘Discover our Towns’ section on the Welcome Back Fund page of the council’s website has lots of up-to-date information on the many varied things they have to see, do and discover. The Welcome Back Fund is funded by the European Development Fund.
Story posted 14 October